The effects of anonymity on computer-mediated communication: The case of independent versus interdependent self-construal influence

Abstract

This experiment investigated how anonymity influenced group identification, inter-group antagonism, and attitude change in computer-mediated communication in samples of both Korean and American participants. This study also examined how self-construal moderated the effect of anonymity on inter-group antagonism. Consistent with the social identity model of deindividuation effects (SIDE), findings from an analysis of variance (ANOVA) test showed that anonymity fostered group identification among the discussion partners and created greater attitude change following a group discussion. Anonymity correlated negatively with the exhibition of critical comments in both Korean and American participants. Although Korean participants showed a greater interdependent self-construal than the American participants did, the effects of self-construal on group identification and inter-group antagonism did not differ from those of American participants. Implications are discussed in light of the social identity theory, SIDE, and self-categorization theory.